5 Best Video Games Like Crash Bandicoot

May 15, 2026 - 12:34

Fans of the classic marsupial platformer know the formula well: colorful 3D worlds, tight linear levels, a spin attack, and a healthy dose of cartoon chaos. If you have already replayed the N. Sane Trilogy and are looking for the next fix, several modern and classic titles deliver that same satisfying mix of challenge and charm.

First up is "Spyro Reignited Trilogy." While Spyro focuses more on gliding and charging than spinning crates, the collection shares Crash's DNA. Both franchises were 1990s PlayStation icons, and the remastered trilogy offers the same vibrant, collectible-heavy gameplay that rewards exploration without overwhelming the player.

For a more recent experience, "Sackboy: A Big Adventure" is a strong choice. It swaps the wumpa fruit for crafting materials and the bandicoot for a knitted hero, but the core platforming is tight and joyful. The game features a similar three-dimensional lane structure where you move forward through obstacle courses, dodging traps and grabbing collectibles.

If you want a direct spiritual successor, look at "Kao the Kangaroo." This 2022 reboot wears its inspiration on its sleeve. Kao uses boxing gloves instead of a spin attack, but the level design, the hub world, and the quirky enemy designs feel like a love letter to the Naughty Dog era of platformers.

Older gamers might appreciate "Gex: Enter the Gecko." Though a bit rough around the edges today, this lizard-themed platformer captures the same snarky, cartoonish energy. Gex can tail whip, stick to walls, and explore levels themed around different TV channels, offering a similar variety of environments that Crash fans will recognize.

Finally, "Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair" offers a hybrid approach. It combines a 2.5D side-scrolling style with a 3D overworld. The precise jumping and the "tonic" system that modifies gameplay will feel familiar to anyone who enjoyed the challenge of Crash's later levels. It proves that the spirit of Crash lives on in both 2D and 3D spaces.